BikeTexas’ Public Information and Education Program (PI&E), which encourages schoolchildren to walk or bike to school, has finished a record-setting school year. The program is part of the educational arm of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) and distributes educational materials about cycling and walking to schools, community groups, and events that target children from pre-K to sixth grade. The program usually distributes 15,000 to 35,000 materials per month.
During the 2011-2012 school year, the program had two banner months: In October, we distributed 84,534 pieces, and in May, we distributed 81,998, both more than double the amount we send in a normal busy month. Kids all over Texas have taken home reminders of what to do when walking or cycling to school, the playground, or a friend’s house.
Since the program began in September 2010, we have reached 250,000 students per year and distributed 645,885 printed materials (including coloring books, bookmarks, and handbooks) to children across Texas. We are also planning to distribute 80,000 light sets to children statewide in the next school year. Additionally, we’ve formed 300 new partnerships with schools and community groups across Texas since the PI&E program began. The entire PI&E program is made possible by a SRTS grant from TxDOT.
To order PI&E materials for your school or event, please visit this page and fill out the form. For more information, please contact Safe Routes to School Program Manager Fernando Martinez at 512-476-7433 or [email protected].
More information about distributing lights will be available on the Be Safe Be Bright page as soon as the lights have arrived.